PHOENIX — The State Board of Education has voted to make state schools chief Diane Douglas reopen its offices to board employees who are investigating complaints against teachers.
The Arizona Republic reported that board executive director Christine Thompson told the board that a chief investigator had been denied access to files needed to complete the investigations.
Douglas was the only board member on Monday to vote against the motion directing the superintendent to hand over necessary documents to the state board's Investigative Unit.
The decision comes after Douglas asked Maricopa County Superior Court to confirm that she is in charge of board staff and has the power to fire and hire them. Gov. Doug Ducey, who appoints the other 10 board members, maintains that only the board can hire and fire its staff.